FARM MECHANICS 



Concrete 



Wire Mesh Filled with Straw 



G.8A 



Figure 200. Sanitary Pig-Pen. One of the most satisfactory far- 

 rowing houses is constructed of concrete posts 6" square and 6" 

 square mesh hog fencing and straw. The posts are set to make far- 

 rowing pens 8' wide and 16' deep from front to back. Woven wire 

 is stretched and fastened to both sides of the posts at the sides and 

 back of each pen. Straw is stuffed in between the two wire nets, 

 thus making partitions of straw 6" thick and 42" high. Fence wire 

 is stretched over the top and straw piled on deep enough to shed 

 rain. The front of the pens face the south and are closed by wooden 

 gates. In the spring the pigs are turned out on pasture, the straw 

 roof is, hauled to the fields for manure and the straw partitions 

 burned out. The sun shines into the skeleton pens all summer so 

 that all mischievous bacteria are killed and the hog-lice are burned 

 or starved. The next fall concrete floors may be laid in the pens, 

 the partitions restuffed with straw and covered with another straw 

 roof. In a colder climate I would cover the whole top with a straw 

 roof. Sufficient ventilation would work through the straw partitions 

 and the front gate. In very cold weather add a thin layer of straw 

 to the gate. 



Figure 201. Concrete Wall Mold. Wooden molds for shaping a 

 concrete wall may be made as shown. If the wall is to be low 2' 

 or less the mold will stay in place without bolting or wiring the 

 sides together. The form is made level by first leveling the 2"x6" 

 stringers that support the form. 



